tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62937897580829602072017-09-18T11:16:41.418-05:00Shakin' the FoundationSuddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open and everyone's chains came loose. Acts 16:26Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-9213761884188700222015-09-17T13:25:00.000-05:002015-09-17T13:48:08.279-05:00Addictions Are Hard....For Everyone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFsS6OROy0U/VfrdacZ5vkI/AAAAAAAACjo/7Kls-3yIXhA/s1600/Addiction-and-fear-5-ways-to-address-fear-in-addiction-recovery2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFsS6OROy0U/VfrdacZ5vkI/AAAAAAAACjo/7Kls-3yIXhA/s320/Addiction-and-fear-5-ways-to-address-fear-in-addiction-recovery2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I come from a family that has lived and survived addictions.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I also come from a family who has those who still struggle with their&nbsp;addictions.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It is a heart breaking, gut wrenching, tear jerking pain to watch those I love struggle.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>For a person fighting the demons of addiction, telling them to just stop is not the answer.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>If a person does not know the pain and hardships of fighting one, we have no idea the battle that rages within.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A battle with one purpose... to kill and destroy.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The world&nbsp;condemns and judges the&nbsp;addict&nbsp;harshly. The world screams to them they are nothing and&nbsp;are without value. The world will put them on blast for all to see their failures never with the&nbsp;thought&nbsp;as to why they are living in a bondage of destruction. &nbsp; In turn, the addict uses more to numb and hide themselves from&nbsp;the cruelness of the world.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It is their escape from the brokenness of their reality.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;In&nbsp;their&nbsp;mind, facing their giants and admitting to their shame is purely and simply unbearable.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Reliving the nightmares of their world is something they have yet to find the strength and courage to do.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>For the family of an addict, we beg, we plead, we try, we stand, we give, we love, we cry and we pray. We will empty our heart and soul to save the one we love.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And then when we have poured out everything we have, the hardest choice we make is tough love. An unfailing love that tells our loved one we have done all we can to help you, now you have to make that choice. You have to decide if you want to rise up and beat this or lay down and&nbsp;succumb to&nbsp;it.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A heart shattering choice for a parent, a spouse, a sister/brother or friend.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sometimes our love for them will enable them to continue the&nbsp;vicious cycle of addiction.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It is when we must realize our actions have now become a stumbling block and a harmful effort. It is in total surrender&nbsp;to our daddy God, HE is able to do the healing and the restoring. I have learned over time and the hard way, my love can hinder God's plans to restore my loved ones. &nbsp;When we over compensate, take control and push hard for them to come to grips with their need for help, we do more harm than good.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our " I can fix this" syndrome gets in His way and ties the hands of the only one who can save them.....The Lord himself.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It is never easy to tell the one you love " I am done" , It's all on you now"&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We fear the worst and pray for the best.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We push our on pain to the back burner and try to see the pain through the addicts eyes.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We see who they where, who they can be and the&nbsp;potential&nbsp;their lives hold.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;We want to justify ever wrong they have done in the hopes it's not our fault.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We shift blame and seek reasons that we ourselves can live with.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We become emotionally weary fighting this battle in the flesh.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It doesn't matter what type of addiction our loved ones are battling....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Addictions are hard....For everyone</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dw86YrRpSng/VfrqDjt37bI/AAAAAAAACj4/s5CU_W66GeI/s1600/recovery_drug_addiction.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dw86YrRpSng/VfrqDjt37bI/AAAAAAAACj4/s5CU_W66GeI/s320/recovery_drug_addiction.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We can't make the choices for our loved one. It is a choice only they can make. A choice to live, a choice to heal, a choice to live a life of abundance.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>But we can go to battle in the way our daddy God calls us to do.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>PRAYER!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">2 Corinthians 10:3-4</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">John 14:14</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">1 Thessalonians 5:17</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Pray without ceasing&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Though I do not suffer with a chemical addiction, What sits in my heart with such passion is the realization that I too struggle in life and God has no grading scale on our struggles.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He does not judge me for mine nor the addict for theirs.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I am no better than someone who battles addiction.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My battles may not be as hard, my battles may not be as public nor may they be &nbsp;physically dangerous.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The bottom line is our daddy God cares for each of our battles as if it was the one one raging.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He loves us all unconditionally and desires for each of us to be made whole.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We all have value and are precious in the eyes of our daddy God. &nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Today and every day I stand in prayer for the ones I love, the ones who are so very precious to my heart,&nbsp;believing their lives&nbsp;will be&nbsp;restored&nbsp;and a victory is in the making.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>This battle, in it's&nbsp;attempt&nbsp;to a wage war of final destruction, will not become&nbsp;victorious.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I can say this with truth and&nbsp;certainty for my daddy Gods word tells me...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Isaiah 54:17</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">No weapon formed against you shall prosper,</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The weapon may be formed BUT it will not prosper!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>If you are fighting an addiction, I encourage to keep fighting, don't give up. You are not hopeless!! You are loved and you are valued!!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>You matter!!! You are worthy!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>You are important!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>If you are standing for a loved one, keep standing!! Regardless if you are in the middle of the battle or you have had to step back......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I encourage you to stand through prayer, believing God has you all in his hand!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Your prayers have not gone unheard nor has your tears gone unnoticed.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>There is a victory in the making!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>xoxoxo</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-67473420513307499902015-09-14T12:46:00.000-05:002015-09-14T12:46:06.756-05:00E- Encouraged When Broken<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hOXBGqAll8A/VfbfcpZuxmI/AAAAAAAACjE/cwyRMeyTt7I/s1600/IMG_20150914_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hOXBGqAll8A/VfbfcpZuxmI/AAAAAAAACjE/cwyRMeyTt7I/s320/IMG_20150914_1.png" width="234" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I misplace my glasses constantly.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>They have been found on counter tops, bed side tables, my car, window sill, back patio and even &nbsp;in the freezer.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;I have been told many times to purchase a chain to keep them&nbsp;securely around my neck. However I just can't seem to bring myself to buy the "granny" chain.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I do not see it as being vain, I see it as a woman who has not yet reached that status in my life.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I am a grandmother, but I am a young grandmother.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I lost my glasses again over the weekend and sadly I am having to use my broken pair to work with until I can get a new pair.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>( It was a time issue this morning and I just didn't have it )</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>They are a little crooked on my face, fall off if I bend down to far, but they are getting the job done for now.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The lenses are still in great shape and the missing arm tends to be the only blemish . In spite of their brokenness, they are still usable; They still have value.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>This morning as I prayed, my daddy God showed me, even in my brokenness, regardless of my blemishes, I am still of value.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He uses our circumstances and failures to shine forth his glory and power of&nbsp;redemption.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;He allows others to see exactly who He is and just how big He is in the midst of it all.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He not only sends others to encourage me through my trials, He also extends love and grace through it all.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>This morning I read a devotional that encouraged me tremendously.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"<i> God found Gideon in a hole. He found Joseph in a prison.&nbsp;</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>He found Daniel in a lions den.&nbsp;</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>He has a curious habit of showing up in the midst of trouble, not the absence.&nbsp;</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Where the world sees failure, God see future.&nbsp;</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Next time you feel unqualified to be used by God, remember this.....</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>He tends to recruit from the pit, not the pedestal. "</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><b>"Where the world sees failure, GOD sees FUTURE!!"&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Such awesome encouragement!!</b><br /><b>I am learning there is never total brokenness in life.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>What the enemy means for evil and destruction , God always &nbsp;turns to good and restoration.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Romans 8:28</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #45818e;">And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Isaiah 54:17</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #45818e;">No weapon formed against you shall prosper,&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #45818e;">And every tongue which rises against you in judgement</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #45818e;">You shall condemn.</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #45818e;">This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #45818e;">And their righteousness is from Me,</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Says the Lord.&nbsp;</span></b><br /><br /><br /><b>As for me and my broken glasses, they have already been replaced.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I was blessed to have a precious friend drop me off a brand new pair.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Notice the bling on the side?&nbsp;</b><br /><b>My glasses have been restored and with a much better pair.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Yep I am doing my happy dance !!</b><br /><b>And possibly thinking about a granny chain purchase.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Maybe ......</b><br /><b><br /></b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYPPDSGCdTI/Vfb3umocrEI/AAAAAAAACjU/M6pnaMrVWlE/s1600/IMG_20150914_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYPPDSGCdTI/Vfb3umocrEI/AAAAAAAACjU/M6pnaMrVWlE/s200/IMG_20150914_2.png" width="182" /></a><br /><b><br /></b><b>My lesson today came from a broken pair of glasses.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>My daddy God used to speak to my heart and reminded me our value does not&nbsp;diminish in the brokenness.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>&nbsp;It increases as He works through us.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>It is Christ within that does the molding and changing</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>No matter the brokenness in your life right now.....</b><br /><b>You are valuable....</b><br /><b>Your circumstances are usable for the greater purpose......</b><br /><b>He will raise you up and out....</b><br /><b>You will be redeemed and restored.....</b><br /><b>In doesn't matter if you are in a hole, a prison, or a lions den.....</b><br /><b>Your "pit" will be a testimony of Gods tremendous love for you!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Be encouraged today.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Keep believing.</b><br /><b>Look beyond your brokenness.</b><br /><b>Feel His love.</b><br /><b>Accept His grace.</b><br /><b>Receive your blessings!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>E-&nbsp;Encouraged When Broken~</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Xoxox</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><br /></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-25398175185038732482015-08-24T14:59:00.001-05:002015-08-24T14:59:36.943-05:00 Keeping Josey's Legacy Alive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-I_QSyHn-U/VOTZLGS70pI/AAAAAAAACTE/j07gw29uJW0/s1600/Josey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-I_QSyHn-U/VOTZLGS70pI/AAAAAAAACTE/j07gw29uJW0/s1600/Josey.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;It's been several months since this beautiful and extraordinary young lady left this world and stepped into the presence of the Lord.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b><b>I first met Josey when she was 4 years old. I never though I'd meet another little girl with the same "no fear" of life attitude as my daughter, Chelsea.</b><br /><b>But I did and I am so blessed to have known her.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>&nbsp;She would become one of Chelsea's first friends when we moved to Texas and to watch those two together always left me guessing what would they get into next together.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>They were some mischievous, happy, full of life&nbsp;little girls!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Josey, however can not be describe in just a few mere words.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>She was bigger than life it self.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Her laughter was contagious and heart felt.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Her smile would light up the darkest of rooms.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Her determination was a strength &nbsp;others would envy and long for in their lives.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Her spirit was one of sweet, unfailing, unconditional love.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Her loyalty for those she loved was fierce and without reserve.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Her honesty was met with brutal truth and wrapped in compassion.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Her love for God was&nbsp;without&nbsp;compromise.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2mHonLFaSyY/VdtA23ylcqI/AAAAAAAAChA/ZfueUMokx_c/s1600/883862_619388311408906_1196266501_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2mHonLFaSyY/VdtA23ylcqI/AAAAAAAAChA/ZfueUMokx_c/s320/883862_619388311408906_1196266501_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>&nbsp;Sadly Josey was taken from this life on February 10th, 2015.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>In a senseless tragic act, as she took her afternoon run, Josey was hit from behind by a driver who due to his impairment of his choice was unaware he had just taken her life.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Left in a ditch to be found by a loved one, Josey's life ended on that country road.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>The over whelming emotions flooded her small town community as well as the surrounding areas. To have a life taken at such a young vibrant age is unimaginable and heart shattering to say the very least.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Josey had just begun her life and just as any young woman had many plans to accomplish...</b><br /><b>Many dreams to full fill.....</b><br /><b>A life of abundance to live.&nbsp;</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kezw0VwFVV8/VdtjbmC1HmI/AAAAAAAAChg/n-lrL74RT44/s1600/11898879_740277412768043_9029546025113538166_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kezw0VwFVV8/VdtjbmC1HmI/AAAAAAAAChg/n-lrL74RT44/s200/11898879_740277412768043_9029546025113538166_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><b>I have no answers as to why Josey's life ended the way it did....</b><br /><b>Or why she had to go.....</b><br /><b>What I do know is our daddy God knew her beginning to her end and welcomed her into &nbsp;eternity with open arms.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Psalm 139:16</b><br /><b><i>Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.&nbsp;</i></b><br /><br /><b>And neither has he left those left behind to mourn....</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Proverbs 3:5-6</b><br /><b><i>Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.&nbsp;</i></b><br /><b><i>In all thy ways&nbsp;acknowledge&nbsp;him and he shall direct thy paths.&nbsp;</i></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Psalm 147:3</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.&nbsp;</b></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div><b>Josey left behind a legacy of love, strength, honesty, and determination.</b></div><div><b>She taught so many how to stand for what's right and never back down.&nbsp;</b></div><div><b>She&nbsp;instilled&nbsp;perseverance in the heart of her family and friends.</b></div><div><b>She set the bar high when it came to&nbsp;integrity.</b></div><div><b>&nbsp;</b><b>And a huge purpose in running our race here on earth.&nbsp;</b></div><div><b>I believe Josey is now a part of our great cloud of witness; those who have finished their race here on earth and are cheering us on to finish ours.&nbsp;</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Hebrews 12:1-2</b></div><div><b><i>Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of&nbsp;witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith......</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>I believe when the wind blows...</b></div><div><b>That is her love covering all she loves.&nbsp;</b></div><div><b>I believe when the sun rises....</b></div><div><b>That is her beautiful smile radiating from above.&nbsp;</b></div><div><b>I believe in the soft whispers of night fall....</b></div><div><b>She is sending the comfort of peace to shelter the many broken hearts.</b></div><div><b>I believe when the storm clouds of life roll in....</b></div><div><b>Josey is there in the midst, cheering for all.... "Do not give up, Keep going"</b></div><div><b>And on days when the memories are too hard to bear, she is there calling all to celebrate her life, giving hope and reassurance all will see her again in the Father's house.&nbsp;</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h23g1c6bFj8/Vdtl91-qqgI/AAAAAAAACh0/yDSiHN2-3Ks/s1600/10982458_895109223873256_4990182734685401011_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h23g1c6bFj8/Vdtl91-qqgI/AAAAAAAACh0/yDSiHN2-3Ks/s320/10982458_895109223873256_4990182734685401011_n.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Josey's family and friends have set before them a race to add to her legacy.&nbsp;</b></div><div><b>For her death to not be in vain.....</b></div><div><b>And for others to not suffer the same.</b></div><div><b>As they stand and fight for "Justice For Josey", they are fighting for stricter laws on hit and run fatalities.&nbsp;</b></div><div><b>Please join me in covering the Scott family and friends in prayer as they continue to fight for due justice for their daughter, sister and friend and many others who have been affected.&nbsp;</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Keeping &nbsp;Josey's Legacy Alive.&nbsp;</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>God bless you all~</b></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>**I have attached the petition for Hit and Run Awareness, please feel free to click on link and sign. Every signature counts!!**</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/13842469#bbfb=309007150"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Petition For Hit And Run Awareness</span></b></a></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rskqmGlcs6o/Vdtl5ctqdGI/AAAAAAAAChs/aoaBECR4fWk/s1600/18125_10203834228766270_1512248295631760564_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rskqmGlcs6o/Vdtl5ctqdGI/AAAAAAAAChs/aoaBECR4fWk/s1600/18125_10203834228766270_1512248295631760564_n.jpg" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-53998466175615006942015-08-09T20:00:00.000-05:002015-08-10T09:07:40.904-05:00When I Choose Truth, I Am Choosing Freedom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-haergcTKLic/VcfZyz7XsLI/AAAAAAAACe8/WSoZYZJ235A/s1600/the-truth-shall-set-you-free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-haergcTKLic/VcfZyz7XsLI/AAAAAAAACe8/WSoZYZJ235A/s400/the-truth-shall-set-you-free.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>There has been times in my life when I did not want to face the truth.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It was scary.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It was messy.......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It was fear based from my own insecurities......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It was reality I did not want to deal with........</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And it was freedom I had yet to embrace.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Someone once told me, if I did not stop and face my giants in life, they would continue to chase me. Over time my giants grew, overshadowed me and consumed every area in my life.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I had no peace.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I walked in false happiness.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I believed if I ignored them long enough they would just simply disappear.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I lived in a bubble of false pretenses.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A bubble I created on my own.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Over time I have learned truth is not the enemy.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Truth may be scary....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It may be a little messy when I am getting to the core root of an issue, however there is so much restoration waiting for me once I get there.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I am living proof to walk and abide in my daddy God's word, truth is my freedom.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Recently I had a hurtful issue within my family. It was a truth I did not want to deal with much less bring it to light. I saw myself steps away from shutting down and choosing to ignore it in the hopes it would just disappear as though it never happened.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The more my thought process went in the direction of ignore and pretend it isn't so, the more I became ill on the inside.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>For truth to have it's rightful place and give me the healing peace I need, I had to face this new giant in my life.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sometimes I find it amusing how the enemy will try his best to take me back to my old ways.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The days when I ran and hid from truth.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He knows when I stand in faith and lean on the one who will never forsake me, in turn others will see the healing love of God and hope will prevail.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I may still have my moments when I just can't deal per say, ignore it for a short period of time but the goodness of my daddy God gives me the grace to turn and face it head on even if I am kicking my way through it.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b><b>As I reflected today and sought my daddy God for his wisdom once again he speaks to my heart. He gives me instruction and wisdom.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">John 8:31-32</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Proverbs 12:19</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">The truthful lip shall be established forever but a lying tongue is but for a moment.&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Truth is meant to deliver us not hold us hostage in fear. It may hurt initially but the truth of God's words heals the heart.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I choose to abide in His word....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I choose for truthful lips to forever be established.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I choose peace.........</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I choose freedom.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>When I choose truth, I am choosing freedom</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>xoxo</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Stacey</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Linking With The Beauty In His Grip</span></b></a></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-68234213215622972072015-06-02T11:02:00.000-05:002015-06-02T11:04:17.786-05:00Partly Cloudy With A Little Sunshine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5HoYJliOnM/VWcl7B89SBI/AAAAAAAACcc/ENlz4VTHrmg/s1600/1604778_10202812383936229_7824634601911680076_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5HoYJliOnM/VWcl7B89SBI/AAAAAAAACcc/ENlz4VTHrmg/s400/1604778_10202812383936229_7824634601911680076_n.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Over the last several days here in the south we have had rain, rain and more rain.</b><br /><b>Thunderstorms whose powerful winds and heavy down pours have sent many scurrying like ants for shelter.</b><br /><b>Morning showers that have lingered to the noon time hour and&nbsp;stretched through out the afternoon with the sun only peeking out occasionally.....</b><br /><b>&nbsp;A reminder there is light behind the clouds.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>There are times in life when our world as we know it becomes covered by the clouds....</b><br /><b>When the rain pours.....</b><br /><b>And the thunder rocks our very being.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>When everything that can&nbsp;possibly&nbsp;happen, happens all at once....</b><br /><b>&nbsp;STRESS Storm.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Stress storms&nbsp;unfortunately are a part of life.</b><br /><b>Some will rage through&nbsp;quickly......</b><br /><b>Some will come in like a hurricane and sit over us for a brief period of time......</b><br /><b>Others will just linger.</b><br /><b>My latest life storm has lingered, bouncing between partly cloudy with a little sunshine.</b><br /><b>I've had my moments when my heart has broke into pieces....</b><br /><b>Moments when hope has lifted me up....</b><br /><b>Moments of frustration.....</b><br /><b>And moments of encouragement.</b><br /><b>( For those who have&nbsp;encouraged&nbsp;me daily with your unfailing love, you are a blessing to my heart......</b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Ecclesiastes 6:14</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Agrees that a&nbsp;faithful&nbsp;friend is a sure shelter, whoever finds one has found a rare&nbsp;treasure. A faithful friend is something beyond price.</span> )</b><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.0799999237061px; text-align: left;"><form action="https://www.facebook.com/ajax/ufi/modify.php" class="live_127018797323337_316526391751760 commentable_item collapsed_comments autoexpand_mode" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;]&quot;}" data-live="{&quot;seq&quot;:0}" id="u_1b_y" method="post" rel="async" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></form></div><b><br /></b><b>&nbsp;I am finding, no matter my age, there are still lessons in life I am to learn.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>This lesson (storm) is teaching me what it truly means to allow my daddy God to be my rock.</b><br /><b>To put my trust so deep within his hands that it can not be moved.</b><br /><b>To hear his voice above the storm....</b><br /><b>To heed to his wisdom and not the worlds chatter...</b><br /><b>To be still and know that He is God and will calm me, his daughter through the storm.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Stress storms are not always things that are out of our control.</b><br /><b>There are those I know I bring upon my self.</b><br /><b>I am discovering there are some things in life I &nbsp;try so hard to hold to that God himself is trying to remove and for that reason, he will allow a storm to come.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>It is through the storm I am pushed from my comfort zone and into the place of trust He is calling me to.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>However, whether it is a storm that is out of my control or one that is sent to get my attention,&nbsp;</b><br /><b>God's word tells me....</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Isaiah 41:13</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not be afraid; I will help you.&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><br /></b><b>He has taken hold of my right hand and with that,&nbsp;</b><b>I am learning a greater trust....</b><br /><b>A better peace.....</b><br /><b>&nbsp;I can hear wisdom speaking over the doubting words of the world.....</b><br /><b>And a whole new level of His unconditional love.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Regardless of life's storms, it is when I heed to His voice and his direction not the words and actions of man, I can see the light behind the clouds.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>My daddy God never leaves me without hope.</b><br /><b>He faithfully puts others in my path to encourage me and nurture me through my storm.</b><br /><b>He, without a doubt, showers me with His grace to overcome and see victory in my life.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>His mercy delivers me on the days I can't see past the clouds.</b><br /><b>His words are the balm of&nbsp;Gilead that soothes my heart.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>His love embraces me when I feel all alone in my trials.</b><br /><b>He carries me when my weariness is too great to continue.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>He is my light in the darkness of the clouds.</b><br /><b>He is my redeemer!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>My stress storm is running out of punch...</b><br /><b>The clouds are parting....</b><br /><b>And the sunshine is making it's way through.</b><br /><b>Today I was reminded, there is always sunshine after the rain...</b><br /><b>And for that I am forever thankful.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tC3OFCSy2uQ/VW3MMSOmiEI/AAAAAAAACc0/8iHKiB9HHPM/s1600/sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tC3OFCSy2uQ/VW3MMSOmiEI/AAAAAAAACc0/8iHKiB9HHPM/s320/sunshine.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Partly cloudy with a little sunshine.....</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>xoxoxo</b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><br /></b> <b><br /></b></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-12859724260498200752015-05-26T10:57:00.000-05:002015-05-26T10:57:44.084-05:00When My Expectations Fall Flat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1iETwn6qM4/VVyuJoPqmUI/AAAAAAAACb0/HSM32xM_mfw/s1600/sitting-by-the-window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1iETwn6qM4/VVyuJoPqmUI/AAAAAAAACb0/HSM32xM_mfw/s400/sitting-by-the-window.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Expectations in life are a huge platform for hope.</b><br /><b>I hope for the best and give God the rest.</b><br /><b>Well , I do have my times when I think I have given my daddy God the rest but truth is, I still hold tight to the things I should release.</b><br /><b>Sheeeshh.....</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>My life's expectations do not seem unrealistic to me.</b><br /><b>My expectations in life are truth, honesty,&nbsp;loyalty, respect and unconditional love.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I want &nbsp;what my heart gives in return.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I hope through my expectations that others will see my heart &nbsp;and see me for who I truly am from the inside out.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I expect my kindness to not be taken for granted nor my love for others taken advantage of.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I expect (want) to be treated as I treat others.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Doesn't seem like much, but I have learned there are times it is.....</b><br /><b>In turn my expectations fall flat.....</b><br /><b>My feelings are hurt....</b><br /><b>My heart is broke.....</b><br /><b>And my hope becomes squashed.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>My down fall,I have to come to&nbsp;recognize,is me putting so much hope in others and their actions or lack of.</b><br /><b>I &nbsp;never wanted to believe that &nbsp;two hearts did not love the same....</b><br /><b>Give the same....</b><br /><b>Hope for the same.....</b><br /><b>Or even care in the same manner.....</b><br /><b>But I do believe in finding the best in a person or circumstance.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>&nbsp;I know we are all created differently in some aspects but the truth is we ALL have been created in the imagine of Christ &nbsp;and my expectation is we ALL show the same compassion and love that He does.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Can you imagine our daddy God showing us the same love and compassion we show others?</b><br /><b>Or not show others I should say??</b><br /><br /><b> Granted I know we all fall short, and I know I fall daily.</b><br /><b>However my lesson is this....</b><br /><b>I am learning again&nbsp;not to put <i>all</i> my hope in others...</b><br /><b>To use wisdom in how much I invest emotionally in a situation...</b><br /><b>&nbsp;Believe in the work my daddy God is doing in all things and love with the heart He has given me.....</b><br /><b>Be constant in my prayers.</b><br /><b>&nbsp;</b><b>Not to expect others to see the way my heart sees.....</b><br /><b>But believe in the power of prayer that all things work for the good for those who love Christ.....</b><br /><b>And see them through the eyes of Christ.</b><br /><b>To see my expectations &nbsp;manifest in His time, not mine....</b><b>.</b><br /><b>My hope should always, without fail, rest in my daddy God.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>My ways, expectations, thoughts and vision is no where near my daddy God's.</b><br /><b>Thank you Jesus they are, for I have discovered I tend to place my ways in a small box where as His ways are out the box.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Isaiah 55:8-9</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">" For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">declares the Lord</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">" As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I do not know how certain things in &nbsp;life will play out.</b><br /><b>I try to see beyond the here and now....</b><br /><b>To find the good in all things....</b><br /><b>To love without reserve.....</b><br /><b>To encourage with grace.....</b><br /><b>To extend mercy without judgement...</b><br /><b>And above all......</b><br /><b>To rest ALL my hope in my daddy God.</b><br /><br /><b>Even though I fall short, it's in the getting back up and pressing in, I am restored.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>It's good to have expectations, even better to have hope.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Proverbs 13:12</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Hope deferred makes a heart sick,&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Where are you placing your hope?</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>When my expectations fall flat~</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>xoxoxo</b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Romans &nbsp;15:13&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><b><br /></b><br /></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-19132025640809145442015-05-04T11:53:00.000-05:002015-05-04T11:54:22.845-05:00 Winding Roads<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8LnTyG6Jql4/VUJKRNDROLI/AAAAAAAACYQ/uLsbzbtQeb0/s1600/windingroad4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8LnTyG6Jql4/VUJKRNDROLI/AAAAAAAACYQ/uLsbzbtQeb0/s1600/windingroad4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Life would be so much easier if every road we traveled was straight and our view never became obstructed, however that is not always the case.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Our roads in life will at some point will began to curve and twist.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Some may be sharp and narrow ones while others may be wide and large.</b><br /><b>It seems the winding roads come out of no where.</b><br /><b>They appear when least expected and tend to, at times, present an unwelcome surprise.</b><br /><b>A jolt to the tranquil .....</b><br /><b>A bang within the peace......</b><br /><b>A disruption of the joy.</b><br /><br /><b>Over time I have learned when I can not see what is in front of me or what is around the next bend, it is then my trust in my daddy God must be unwavering . I can not simply trust him just in the times of joy in my life, I must trust him in every area of my life.</b><br /><b>&nbsp;And that includes winding roads.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I &nbsp;am coming into a new season of &nbsp;change.</b><br /><b>&nbsp;A shift I can not quite understand.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I have not had any major catastrophic events.</b><br /><b>&nbsp;Nor have I had anything happen that has knocked me off my feet. &nbsp;</b><br /><b>&nbsp;But my road has become somewhat winding.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>For me this can be an unsettling feeling.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>For those who know me, know I like to know what is next in my life.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>OCD syndrome???</b><br /><b>Maybe....</b><br /><b>&nbsp;Impatient???</b><br /><b>Probably....</b><br /><b>Stating the obvious???</b><br /><b>Absolutely.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>What I have learned and continue to learn is to heed the voice of my daddy God when my road becomes winding.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>To recognize the lessons in each curve....</b><br /><b>To apply Godly wisdom with each step.....</b><br /><b>To take notice of the scenery and focus on the beauty instead of the struggle......</b><br /><b>To embrace hope.....</b><br /><b>To&nbsp;exhibit unfailing&nbsp;trust......</b><br /><b>To extend unconditional &nbsp;love......</b><br /><b>And witness victory through each one.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I do not know what this new season holds for me or what new changes are on the horizon.</b><br /><b>I may not always get it right....</b><br /><b>Or even understand the&nbsp;reasoning.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>&nbsp;I do know I am learning to lean more on my daddy God.</b><br /><b>&nbsp;I am learning to find the beauty in every curve.....</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>To tune out the&nbsp;unnecessary banter of the world......&nbsp;</b><br /><b>And recognize his wisdom in the scenery.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Winding Roads......</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>xoxo</b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Proverbs 3:5-6</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uh6TlupDKW0/VUejhwPoycI/AAAAAAAACYw/eXRMXOMwhyU/s1600/Amazing-Pic-of-Natural-Landscape-One-Straight-Path-Green-Trees-Alongside-Great-Look.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uh6TlupDKW0/VUejhwPoycI/AAAAAAAACYw/eXRMXOMwhyU/s320/Amazing-Pic-of-Natural-Landscape-One-Straight-Path-Green-Trees-Alongside-Great-Look.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-360657272799985122015-04-22T09:01:00.002-05:002015-04-22T10:20:41.195-05:00Loving Them Through The Pain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_HB7s1rs4g/VTalXP6kF1I/AAAAAAAACWs/NP3PlTxio3g/s1600/man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_HB7s1rs4g/VTalXP6kF1I/AAAAAAAACWs/NP3PlTxio3g/s1600/man.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>For years I have asked God to use me as an instrument of his love.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A love that is never failing.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>One that sees past the wounds and jaded scars.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A love that will shine into the darkest areas of a heart and heal the brokenness....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A love that covers unconditionally and without reserve.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>To be able to love them past their pain.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>But how does one do that when the one who is living in such a forest of pain&nbsp;continuously throws up walls?&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>They shut down and shut out .....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>They will stop any real healing just to avoid the process of restoring.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Their mind set has become " out of site, out of mind"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>They believe if they do not talk about the pain, confront the situations, and express their emotions it will all just disappear.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>( Their walls of pain just got bigger)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Their fears have become greater than the love sent to restore.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The enemy wants to keep them buried in their pain.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He knows if the pain remains the healing love of the Father will not be seen.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He knows by living in constant pain, their hearts will forever be broken and they will live without true peace, joy and happiness.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>At times it is hard to love someone through their pain.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It becomes difficult when I see the scars, wounds and tears their hearts will not release. ....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>When I can feel the emotions they have locked up deep inside....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The " I don't care" attitudes they portray to hide the fear of rejection.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The hand they use to keep real love at bay.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And yet I still continue to ask my daddy God to use me as an instrument of His love.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Why????</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Because..........</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It is His love that has healed me of past pain....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>His love that has carried me through some very difficult times in my life....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>His love that has restored me in areas I never thought possible....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>His love that continues to hold me up and walk me through when hardships drop in my world.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>There is nothing I (we) go through in life that is in vain.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I have learned He will use my trials, my pain and my brokenness to show others there is hope.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>There is healing.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>There is restoration...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>There is victory.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /><span style="color: #134f5c;">Romans 8:39&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Neither height nor&nbsp;depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of&nbsp;God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I know it can become disheartening when loving someone through their pain tends to be rejection for what our hearts are offering.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>When our words fall on deaf ears....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;A heart that is un-receiving......</b><br /><b>And walls that are so thick there seems to be no way through them or around them.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">John 15:12</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It is then I am reminded how many times my daddy God had offered me the same love only to have me throw my hand up as I did not want to face my giants.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I ran from anything and anyone that represented truth and healing.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>And I was hard to love....</b><br /><b>So very hard.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b><b>For that reason alone, I continue to love the way He has called me to love.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Regardless of how uncomfortable it becomes....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>How difficult it may be at times.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>No matter if they push me away or take my hand...&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>How&nbsp;frustrated&nbsp;in the natural I become.......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Just as my daddy God has loves me through my pain in life.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I will love then through theirs.</b><br /><b>Whether it's by prayer only, or physically standing with them....</b><br /><b>His will not mine be done.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Loving them through their pain.............</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>xoxoxo</b><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I2XoPliXNlo/VTe8PTtWuvI/AAAAAAAACXA/EKz23vQUrTw/s1600/Broken-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I2XoPliXNlo/VTe8PTtWuvI/AAAAAAAACXA/EKz23vQUrTw/s1600/Broken-man.jpg" height="264" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-85731006453734944442015-04-16T10:03:00.000-05:002015-04-16T10:03:13.925-05:00When I Am UnCertain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zRlkmFp9vkA/VSPecSvhb9I/AAAAAAAACVw/2JacqiMt6PA/s1600/stock-footage-young-woman-depressed-in-abandoned-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zRlkmFp9vkA/VSPecSvhb9I/AAAAAAAACVw/2JacqiMt6PA/s1600/stock-footage-young-woman-depressed-in-abandoned-house.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I am not&nbsp;immune&nbsp;to&nbsp;uncertainties in life.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I have my share just as the next person does.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Times when I have no idea what step to take......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What&nbsp;decision&nbsp;is for the best........</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>When my judgement is clouded by circumstances.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And I feel as though I am&nbsp;drowning&nbsp;in my situation.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The&nbsp;misconception that is viewed upon those in the body of Christ is we never have bad days....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>No doubts, uncertainties, fear or feelings of weariness and&nbsp;despair......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>When we do have those days, we are to smile and act as though nothing is wrong because that would mean we have no faith.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;Or the painted picture of the world is to be a woman or man of faith &nbsp;we walk through life all sunshine and roses without struggle one.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I have even had some mock me with their words " Where is your Jesus now?"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Wrong answer.....&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I have learned the stronger my faith becomes, the more battles I have.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Therefore I have times when I become so &nbsp;weary in my flesh, I have my own uncertainties as to how I will overcome the task ahead of me.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Even Jesus himself cried out to God when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying before he was arrested.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Luke 22:42</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He knew what his fate was and the task that laid ahead of him.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>But look what happened after he cried out.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Luke 22:43</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It is when we cry out to our daddy God he sends the help we desire</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The answers we need.......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The peace we long to have wash over and in us.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My uncertainties do not come from the battles or&nbsp;decisions ahead of me. They come from my own lack&nbsp;of strength and wisdom.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>They will manifest&nbsp;</b><b>when I lean to my own abilities and not those of my daddy God.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Today&nbsp;</b><b>I &nbsp;read these words......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Psalm 32:8</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.</span>&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Proverbs 24:14</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Know also wisdom is like honey for you:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">If you find it, there is a hope for you,</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">and your hope will not be cut off.&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Being a woman of faith does not mean I will not have trials and tribulation in this life.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>God's word tells us that we will have those.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He also tells us he will never leave nor forsake us.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Being a woman of faith &nbsp;does not mean I will not fall in life, make mistakes or&nbsp;sub-come&nbsp;to the&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;of life.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What it does mean......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I know who to lean on.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I know where to turn for wisdom....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I know where my strength comes from.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>There is no shame in having uncertainties.</b><br /><b>It's is through my weakness &nbsp;His power is made perfect.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">2 Corinthians 12:9</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">But he said to me. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><br /></b><b>When I am uncertain..........</b><br /><br /><b>Xoxox</b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4n7QsdqS7xc/VS_O6gZfaWI/AAAAAAAACWI/m9mvTb-ZkvE/s1600/woman%2Bin%2Bfield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4n7QsdqS7xc/VS_O6gZfaWI/AAAAAAAACWI/m9mvTb-ZkvE/s1600/woman%2Bin%2Bfield.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-49048555286419197262015-03-26T13:20:00.001-05:002015-03-26T13:20:07.548-05:00Getting To The Root<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nap_HaId5ro/VNJ0cQ0jwkI/AAAAAAAACSs/tsjArIjULUQ/s1600/weed%2Broots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nap_HaId5ro/VNJ0cQ0jwkI/AAAAAAAACSs/tsjArIjULUQ/s1600/weed%2Broots.jpg" height="323" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>I love yard work;&nbsp;</b><b>cutting grass and planting flowers.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I do not however like pulling weeds.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>There are some that are easy to remove....</b><br /><b>One tug and they are up and out, root and all.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>But then there are those weeds whose roots are so deep and&nbsp;intertwined&nbsp;through out the dirt, it is almost&nbsp;impossible to get them and all of their roots out of the ground.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>These roots will take over, strangle and smother the good roots causing the pretty flowers to die.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><b>The same goes when we allow bad roots to grow within our hearts.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>The weeds of our hearts have many different names.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>They come in the form of anger, bitterness, rejection, unforgiveness, jealousy, malice, prejudice, slander, gossip, selfishness and the list goes on.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>These roots will smother our peace, joy, happiness, love and grace.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>They will strangle our compassion and mercy.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>They will hold us hostage within the mire and muck of our&nbsp;inter being.</b><br /><b>Slowly destroying our heart and souls.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I did not realize I had a particular root that has been holding me captive &nbsp;from within.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>My root's name is un-forgiveness.</b><br /><b>Strange, as I have never been one to hold a grudge.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>But never the less it is a reality, one that I must deal with.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I will not get into the why and how's this root came to manifest deep inside of my heart.</b><br /><b>I will not justify my reason's or emotions.</b><br /><b>Two wrongs do not make a right and for my healing and peace I must take care of this root.</b><br /><b>To move forward as my daddy God wants me to I must seek forgiveness from the other person for my forgiveness for them to be complete and my heart healed.</b><br /><b>In the natural for me to ask to be forgiven (for not forgiving them) can taste like vinegar if I allow it to or I can remove this ugly root with the love of Christ and feel the peace of my daddy God as he fills the hole where this root resides.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I heard my daddy God say to me " How can you show others to forgive past hurts if you yourself are not doing it?"</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>" Good question Lord" is my reply</b><br /><b>And my answer........</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">1 John 1:9</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness</span></b><br /><br /><b>I am thankful he never leaves me where I am in life...</b><br /><b>I am grateful for his constant love for me, a love that is unfailing and never ending.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Correction with love allows us to grow.</b><br /><b>And growing I am....</b><br /><b>Daily.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Today I choose forgiveness....</b><br /><b>Today I choose to remove the root......</b><br /><b>Today I choose the peace of my daddy God.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Getting to the Root.....</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Xoxo</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-70610159993004968652015-02-26T09:59:00.000-06:002015-02-26T09:59:01.770-06:00This Old Brush<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwvZsrN9o8M/VOeVfeyEUSI/AAAAAAAACTk/1Ucf9Spx1OA/s1600/IMG_20150220_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwvZsrN9o8M/VOeVfeyEUSI/AAAAAAAACTk/1Ucf9Spx1OA/s1600/IMG_20150220_1.png" height="320" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>This is the brush my grandmother would use to brush my daughters hair over 20 years ago.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Spending time with her great grandmother she loved, having her hair brushed she did not.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My grandmother would tell her "We need to get your hair out of your face."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Brushing her hair wasn't pleasant for her. The knots and tangles in her long hair were not easily removed. It took time and sitting still, which for a three year old was a task in its self.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>However after it was all said and done, hair all smooth and&nbsp;shiny, within minutes her hair would be&nbsp;back in her face blowing wildly, tangled and messy.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>She was happy.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My grandmother was not.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>How many times in life has our daddy God instructed us to be still while he "brushed" the hair out of our faces?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>To be patient as he removed the knots and tangles only for us to&nbsp;murmur&nbsp;and complain about the process......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And once it is all shiny and smooth, we return to the wild, tangled, knotted mess from before?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What my daughter failed to realize at her young tender age, had she kept the pony tail holder in, the hair clips and bows, there would have not been a need to brush out a tangled mess. She would not have had so many knots to painful comb through.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>&nbsp;As adults we too need to realize when our daddy God brushes the hair from our eyes, he is making way for our eyes to be focused on him and not the circumstances of life.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>He is giving us a visual path to see the steps we are to take.</b><br /><b>It is when we allow the knots of life to take hold of us, and the tangled mess to blind us we miss the beauty of our daddy Gods work in our lives.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>We lose our peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I have had my share of tangled, knotted messes in my life.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>In the past I ran from my daddy God and his brush.</b><br /><b>I did not want the pain and discomfort of having &nbsp;them brushed out.</b><br /><b>However&nbsp;I have learned to have peace, His peace, I must sit and be still as he removes each tangle and knot.</b><br /><b>With every stroke of my daddy Gods brush, I feel his love....</b><br /><b>I feel his peace.</b><br /><b>A peace that surpasses all understanding.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>The last few weeks have been a bit of a struggle for me.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>But through the tangles and knotted mess He reminds me as he brushes my hair from my eyes....</b><br /><b>"Look to me , set your eyes upon me and not the circumstances."&nbsp;</b><br /><b>His word tells me ( and you)</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 John 4:4</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Such&nbsp;great&nbsp;encouragement knowing that He, my daddy God, is bigger, greater, &nbsp;and stronger than than anything that is of this world!!!</b><br /><b>&nbsp;I want to&nbsp;encourage&nbsp;you, no matter how tangled, knotted or messy your situation may be, allow Him to brush the hair from your eyes.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Set your eyes upon Jesus and receive His peace.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Receive&nbsp;His grace</b><br /><b>&nbsp;And His love.</b><br /><b>Just as my grandmother wanted &nbsp;my daughter to be able to see and not stumble in her play time, our daddy God does not want us, his children, to become blinded by&nbsp;life's tangled mess.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>This Old Brush........</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>xoxoxo</b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">John 14:27</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b><br /></b></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-62415362483760504042015-02-19T15:50:00.000-06:002015-02-19T15:56:51.537-06:00 At The Mercy Seat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9uDJZB_3C1E/VOX8f9G7ZoI/AAAAAAAACTU/Bd8dUgFEJcc/s1600/ark-of-the-covenant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9uDJZB_3C1E/VOX8f9G7ZoI/AAAAAAAACTU/Bd8dUgFEJcc/s1600/ark-of-the-covenant.jpg" height="400" width="380" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>&nbsp;<span style="color: #45818e;">Exodus 25:22</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #45818e;">There I will meet with you: and from above the mercy seat,from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in a commandment for the sons of Israel.</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The mercy seat sits above the Ark of God. It represents God's throne.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The place we can boldly go.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The place we can speak to our daddy God with out reserve....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The place we can receive his full measure of grace....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mercy......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Wisdom....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And his&nbsp;unconditional&nbsp;love.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I run to the mercy seat.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I do not walk or skip or hesitate in getting there...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I run!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It is my place of comfort.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My place of solitude.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My place of peace.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My time with the only one who truly knows me and loves me just as I am.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My voice of wisdom and comfort....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The place He, my daddy God, meets me with arms open wide and pulls me in.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Today has been one of those days....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A day to run to the mercy seat.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>To boldly&nbsp;go to the throne of my daddy God t</b><b>o pour out my heart felt emotions.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>To obtain mercy and find grace......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>To surrender my needs and the needs of those I love......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>To just sit at his feet and allow my tears to wash over.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>To listen for the still, sweet voice that leads me, guides me, and protects me.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The voice that reminds me, no matter the circumstances I may face in this life......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I am his.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We all have those days,moments and even minutes in life when we need mercy to hold us up...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>When we need grace to walk us through.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A place to pour out our every need.</b><br /><b>A moment to surrender the weight of the world.</b><br /><b>A time to be refreshed and restored.&nbsp;</b><br /> <b>I am forever thankful that no matter what life throws at me or the ones I love....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;It is there He will meet me.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And it is there He will meet you</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b><b>At the Mercy Seat...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>xoxoxo</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Hebrews 4:16</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.</span>&nbsp;</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-76163306684816346102015-02-04T10:37:00.002-06:002015-02-04T13:02:37.921-06:00Meeting Our Needs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A2pG7F6F0MY/VNIxlhZBaWI/AAAAAAAACSU/-S6bzjbUGm4/s1600/woman-praying-silhoutte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A2pG7F6F0MY/VNIxlhZBaWI/AAAAAAAACSU/-S6bzjbUGm4/s1600/woman-praying-silhoutte.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>This morning as I drove to work the need to pray for many that I know and love washed over me like a tidal wave.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The need to pray for those I have never met and to stand in the gap for them &nbsp;penetrated my heart deeply.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Today as I heed to my daddy God's instructions and obey his voice....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I will......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;Pray for those who believe and those who do not.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pray for those who are hurting.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Those who are lost.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pray for those who are running......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Those who &nbsp;carry wounds so deep they can not see the love of our daddy God.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pray for those who are sick.......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Those who need a miracle.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pray for those who live in doubt and fear.......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Those who walk in un-forgiveness&nbsp;and constant anger.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pray for the jobless....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The hungry.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The homeless.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The ones who live in such brokenness they can only see the darkness and yet long for the light.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pray for all who&nbsp;constantly stand in the gap for their children.....</b><b>&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>For&nbsp;their&nbsp;strength to not wavier.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pray for those who need direction....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Those who need answers.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>With everything that is going on in today's world, the power of prayer is our strongest weapon.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I admit there are those times instead of praying first I worry. I get wrapped up in my circumstances before I realize I have and it is then when I have to check myself.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And sometimes it's a hard check.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I am so thankful for his grace as in those times I am not too kind to myself.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>God's word tells us to not worry about anything. Our flesh screams of worry, but it is faith in our daddy God's promises to us that sees us through every circumstance we face in life.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Philippians</b></span><b>&nbsp;4:6-7</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Don't worry about anything;instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>As I pray I ask for eyes to be open, ears to hear and hearts to be&nbsp;receiving. For all to understand and realize there is nothing too small or too big that our daddy God &nbsp;does not want us to bring to him. He wants to take care of every area in our lives. He loves us more than we can ever fathom.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Lord,&nbsp;</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I thank you for all that you are doing and have done in all our lives. I thank you for your grace, mercy and love. I thank you Lord that we are never alone in our trials and are victorious through you. I thank you Lord that every need is being met. From&nbsp;finances, to health issues, to the restoring of relationships. I thank you Lord for your healing touch whether it's a physical or emotional need. I ask Lord for those who are lost in this world you place a lamp under their feet, for your light to shine and lead them from the darkness. I ask you Lord to heal and bind the wounds of the broken and for peace that surpasses all understanding in their lives. I ask you Lord for those needing direction that they can and will hear your voice clearly with each step they take. I ask for jobs to be plentiful and their storehouses to be full. I ask Lord for doubt and fear to be replaced with faith and courage. I ask Lord for those who walk in unforgiveness and anger has over taken their hearts and minds to walk out in forgiveness and peace.&nbsp;</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I thank you Lord once again for meeting our needs for you are our&nbsp;Jehovah&nbsp;Jireh, our provider and our Jehovah Shalom, our prince of peace.&nbsp;</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>In Jesus Name</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Amen.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Meeting Our Needs......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>xoxoxo</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Philippians 4:19</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">And my God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-18446519550786849712015-01-14T10:53:00.001-06:002015-01-14T10:53:55.216-06:00I Believe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXU5Z0_VIXY/VH4dxJrkjlI/AAAAAAAACP4/qaPaQyViNhE/s1600/tracks-HDR-web2Blessed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXU5Z0_VIXY/VH4dxJrkjlI/AAAAAAAACP4/qaPaQyViNhE/s1600/tracks-HDR-web2Blessed.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><br /></strong><strong>I believe in the power of prayer......</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I believe in unconditional&nbsp;love.........</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I believe in second chances.........</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I believe in God's healing power........</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I believe in forgiveness.......</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Restoration........</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>And&nbsp;redemption.</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><br /></strong><strong>I believe in God's mighty protection.....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I believe through Him I can do all things............</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I believe in His mercies that are new every day....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>And His grace that carries me through.</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><br /></strong><strong>I believe to receive.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Receive His guidance......</strong></div><div align="center"><strong style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;And His divine wisdom.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I believe in His promises.</strong><br /><strong>I believe His word never returns void.</strong><br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>I believe no weapon formed against me or those I love will prosper....</strong><br /><b>For we are more than a&nbsp;conqueror.</b><br /><b>I believe no matter the situation or circumstances, there is nothing too big &nbsp;my daddy God can not handle, restore and redeem.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>As the start of the new year begins, remind yourself, no matter the situations or circumstances,&nbsp;</b><b style="text-align: left;">to believe is to&nbsp;receive all of our daddy God's goodness,promises and love.&nbsp;</b><br /><b style="text-align: left;"><br /></b><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Proverbs 18:21&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Death and life are in the power of the tongue:</span></b><br /><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">&nbsp;and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.</span></b><br /><br /><b>What we speak over ourselves, our lives, and those we love will either be life or death....</b><br /><b>Light or dark....</b><br /><b>Success or failure.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>The words of our tongue is the fruit in which we consume in life.</b><br /><b>We have the choice to eat sweet or bitter fruit.....</b><br /><b>To see the positive within the negative.....</b><br /><b>To have hope instead of despair.......</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;</b><b style="text-align: left;">To believe and&nbsp;receive.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><b>I Believe~</b></span><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="text-align: left;"><b>xoxoxo</b></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><br /></b></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-5505221285802424562015-01-12T14:53:00.001-06:002015-01-12T14:53:18.520-06:00He Meets Me Right Where I Am<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wRWbanpSn2g/VLQALrGf53I/AAAAAAAACRM/YNgKFNyuCeo/s1600/lightstock-115932-the-resurrected-christ-jesus-extending-his-hand-with-an-invitation-to.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wRWbanpSn2g/VLQALrGf53I/AAAAAAAACRM/YNgKFNyuCeo/s1600/lightstock-115932-the-resurrected-christ-jesus-extending-his-hand-with-an-invitation-to.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /> <b>I can remember when my girls &nbsp;were&nbsp;</b><b>learning to walk, ride a bike or any activity that could or would cause them to lose balance and fall, one cry from their little lips and&nbsp;this Mom would run&nbsp;to them.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I did not expect them to get up and limp their way over to me......</b><br /><b>I did not sit and wait for the bloody scrapped knees to stop bleeding or the tears to stop streaming.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I would meet them right where they were, wiping their tears, kissing their sweet cheeks and cleaning their little wounds.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>A&nbsp;mamma's&nbsp;heart is most sensitive to the cries of her children.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I have learned over the years my daddy God does the same for me.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>My injury may be an emotional one or a physical one, but no matter the type, He meets me where I am. Just as I ran to my girls, He runs to me.</b><br /><b>He doesn't sit by and wait for me to come limping to him.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>He doesn't wait for my "bloody scrapped knees" to stop bleeding.</b><br /><b>He comes to me with His bandages of mercy in hand, His healing&nbsp;ointment of restoration&nbsp;on his finger tips, and&nbsp;His&nbsp;unconditional love full of grace.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><b>Just as a mother will run to her child that has fallen, a child with scrapped bloody knees and tears, our daddy God does the same for His children.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>He is always there to pick us up, tend to our wounds and encourage us to keep going.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><b>We have been given &nbsp;His promises. Words that can not and will not return void.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>&nbsp;Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us, &nbsp; He will never leave us nor forsake us.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Over the course of my life I have noticed I still have my moments when I fall instead of crying out to my daddy God, I limp aimlessly in circles trying to mend my wounds on my own.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I do not do it intentionally, I guess that is where my control issue comes it....</b><br /><b>I am still a work in progress.</b><br /><br /><b>I had to learn &nbsp;He wants to be there for my little spills in life just as He wants to be there for the large ones.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>It doesn't matter how hard or soft I fall.....</b><br /><b>&nbsp; How bleak my situation may seem.....</b><br /><b>No matter how bloody or&nbsp;bruised&nbsp;I become......</b><br /><b>&nbsp;With one cry from my lips.....</b><br /><b>He is there.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Psalm 34:17</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">&nbsp;he delivers them from all their troubles</span></b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3dOktVEJeeE/VLQKQM_daZI/AAAAAAAACRc/ncjyqPIU48I/s1600/jesus-holding-man14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3dOktVEJeeE/VLQKQM_daZI/AAAAAAAACRc/ncjyqPIU48I/s1600/jesus-holding-man14.jpg" height="161" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><b><br /></b><b>He Meets Me Right Where I Am~</b><br /><br /><b>xoxoxo</b><br /><b>Stacey</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-77865694905346476832014-12-04T14:29:00.000-06:002014-12-04T14:29:46.463-06:00 The Struggle Is Real<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67YrDUFIZWw/VH4hCo67DeI/AAAAAAAACQE/02onjrKABf8/s1600/11828586454_727a7fbce2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67YrDUFIZWw/VH4hCo67DeI/AAAAAAAACQE/02onjrKABf8/s1600/11828586454_727a7fbce2.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The last few months have been a struggle for me in a few particular areas of my life.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I have tried so hard to not let it dominate over my emotions......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I have dug my heels in with gritted teeth......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Held on with the tips of my fingers....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Plastic smile as large as can be and said " I am good" to all who have asked.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Maybe that's&nbsp;OK&nbsp;to do so with those who inquire....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And even&nbsp;OK&nbsp;to tell my children that&nbsp;Mom&nbsp;is all good.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>But the sad part is, I have done the same thing with my daddy God.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I have told him the same thing...." I am good Lord, I got this!!"</b><br /><b>Uhhhhh, not so much............</b><br /><b>Like I can hide anything from him right??</b><br /><b>~Geezz~</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b><b>&nbsp;But I have tried to pretend that I was not struggling.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>In my mind, if I only spoke to him about bits and pieces,maybe it would be easier to deal with....</b><br /><b>Even tried the old saying "Ignoring the elephant in the room".</b><br /><b>&nbsp;As crazy as it sounds, I wasn't ready to hear his answers or directions, the only one who could walk me through the struggle and set me in peace.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The&nbsp;funny&nbsp;thing is, he already knows my struggle in it's entirety.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He knows my heart.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He's counted every tear......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He knows the depth of the love I carry.........</b><br /><b>He knows how hard I hold on to hope.....</b><br /><b>He knows the desires of my heart;&nbsp;</b><b>He knows me.</b><br /><b>&nbsp;He also knows when this child of his will finally break and surrender it all to him.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><b>One would think at the age I am and all I have been through in my life, I would not act as though I am Eve hiding in the Garden of Eden from God with the bright red apple in hand.</b><br /><b>&nbsp;My issue is not the forbidden fruit dangling from the tree of knowledge ; it's holding on in life to those things,circumstances and situations when I should be letting go.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Letting go for my daddy God to shape, change and restore.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Letting go and letting God.</b><br /><br /><b>It's not wrong to hope.</b><br /><b>&nbsp;Neither is it wrong to let go.</b><br /><b>We can still hope in the letting go.</b><br /><b>We can still love through the struggle.</b><br /><b>&nbsp;I have learned to struggle from time to time, strengthens&nbsp;my faith</b><b>&nbsp;and it's what I do in the struggle that determines my outcome.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>To admit I am struggling is my first step.</b><br /><b>To&nbsp;acknowledge to myself I can't do it alone is another.</b><br /><b>Reaching out to my daddy God is my best step.</b><br /><b>Turning it all over to him is my greatest.</b><br /><b>He cares about every part of my struggles, no matter how great or how small, His word tells me that He does.</b><br /><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">1 Peter 5:7</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Give all your worries to him because He cares for you.</span></b><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WvvTxFCElZs/VIC_hZEPx-I/AAAAAAAACQk/LCaqJdbU2eY/s1600/letting-go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WvvTxFCElZs/VIC_hZEPx-I/AAAAAAAACQk/LCaqJdbU2eY/s1600/letting-go.jpg" height="177" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b>He reminds me that even though there are times I will struggle in this life, He is never far from me nor has He ever left me.</b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>Giving it all over to Him.......</b><br /><b>The struggle is real~</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Xoxo</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Philippians 4:6</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.</span>&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-2901480695358187242014-11-24T15:18:00.000-06:002014-11-24T15:18:12.517-06:00 My One Word For 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1jkkU1lvM_I/VHNh-YPMIaI/AAAAAAAACPo/o3iMT2LyM30/s1600/BelieveShakin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1jkkU1lvM_I/VHNh-YPMIaI/AAAAAAAACPo/o3iMT2LyM30/s1600/BelieveShakin.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It's amazing that it was three years ago I started participating in the "one word" for the year.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It just doesn't seem that long ago.</b><br /><b>But I am so glad I did.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I love and adore for the word my daddy God has given me for 2015.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"BELIEVE"&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What a powerful word!!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It amazes me that I have been referring to this one word for the last 5 months not knowing this was my word for the new year.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>God is just so cool that way!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>As 2014 comes to an end, I hear him speaking directly to my heart....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Believe what I have told you.....</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Believe in my promises......</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Believe that your destiny is&nbsp;blooming&nbsp;brighter that you can imagine......</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Believe that I, the Lord thy God, is doing a great work in you!!!!!!</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Believe in Me!!!!!!!</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It's easy to get swallowed up in &nbsp;what our circumstances speak....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It's easy to &nbsp;hear what the world tells us.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It's even easier to give up when our hard times overwhelming take us to the ground in despair.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>When we are tired and weary and feel as those we can't take another step, it seems the easy thing to do is to just sit down and not move.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>However our daddy God says.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>BELIEVE!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Believe that job you have been waiting for is here....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Believe that home you have dreamed of is yours.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Believe that his healing touch has restored every area in your life......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Believe that HIS joy is doing a work inside of you &nbsp;for others to see His goodness......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Believe what the enemy meant to use to destroy you, God is using to restore you!!!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Believe the things that have been on hold are now coming in their entirety.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2014 has been a year of many changes.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It has been a year of growth.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A year of loss......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And gain.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A year of preparation for things to come......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A year of molding and the laying of ground work.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A year of &nbsp;purpose.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>(Looking back I can see why He gave me the word purpose for 2014.)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b><b>Every step I have walked in 2014 holds a meaning.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Every step has had a reason........</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Because in one way or another, they have positioned me for my next season.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>As I begin my goodbye process to 2014, &nbsp;I can say I am thankful for every up and down moment I have walked , and even those I have ran.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Thankful for lessons learned.....</b><br /><b>And wisdom gained.</b><br /><b>Thankful for lives touched.........</b><br /><b>And those who have touched mine in ways they may never fully understand.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Thankful for the painful times........</b><br /><b>They taught me to find the joy and hold on to the peace.</b><br /><b>Thankful for the happy moments......</b><br /><b>For the little moments are always larger than life in their own simple,beautiful way.</b><br /><b>Thankful for the beauty that emerges from the ashes....</b><br /><b>There is always a positive to every negative in life.</b><br /><b>Thankful for the light of love......</b><br /><b>A light that can penetrate through the thickest of darkness and bring forth a new creation.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>As the remaining weeks of 2014 begin to wrap up and the ringing in of 2015 start to explode....</b><br /><b>I encourage you........</b><br /><br /><b><br /></b><b>BELIEVE~</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>xoxoxo</b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Matthew 21:22</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-30857098720074629022014-11-14T09:09:00.000-06:002014-11-17T08:37:46.862-06:00I Am Weak, He Is Strong<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxUuGdm443s/VGTUI2B2NAI/AAAAAAAACPY/sEv4tRTLWVc/s1600/god-strenght.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxUuGdm443s/VGTUI2B2NAI/AAAAAAAACPY/sEv4tRTLWVc/s400/god-strenght.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Doing the right thing can be hard at times.....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>It can take every ounce of my being to stand and not wavier.......</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Why is that?</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Because there are times when doing what is right can be extremely painful....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>It can be uncomfortable.....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>It can be overwhelming......</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Even though I know the outcome will super exceed the here and now, the struggle is real. </strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><br /></strong><strong>The flesh&nbsp;in me looks&nbsp;for a easier way to deal.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>A less painful passage.</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><br /></strong><strong>I can ignore the issue and it will go away........</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>(Ummmm, no, that's incorrect my dear)</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I can go around it and pretend I don't see it......</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>( You do&nbsp;see that huge neon flashing sign in your face right??)</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I know, I got it, I can just go along with it in the hope that all will change for the better......</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>( It gets worse...much worse)</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><br /></strong><strong>These were all lessons I have had&nbsp;to learn....... </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>And learn the&nbsp;hard way. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>&nbsp;In my weakness I believed I could not face the giants circling me....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I thought if I ran far enough that would all just disappear.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>&nbsp;However, they only chased me harder.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>The running made me weary........</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>The running&nbsp;held me captive&nbsp;in fear..........</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>The running was destroying me from the inside out.</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">2 Corinthians 12:9</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">And He said to me " My grace is&nbsp;sufficient&nbsp;for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.</span> </strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><br /></strong><strong>When I stop running, face my giants and&nbsp;do the right thing.....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I open the door for the strength of my daddy God to shine within my weakness.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>There's no shame in my game.....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I admit my short comings.....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I just have those times when I really would prefer not to deal.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>However the older I get in this life, my daddy God has made it clear I am to deal, weak or not , I am no longer allowed to run. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br /></strong><strong>I will admit regardless of the pain that the "right thing" may bring at times.....</strong><br /><strong>There is more ........</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>The right thing brings peace.......</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>The right thing&nbsp;forms character......</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>The right thing brings the strength and grace of our daddy God into every situation.</strong><br /><strong>With pain, there is gain!</strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br /></strong><strong>Whether it's something that needs verbal addressing or an action I must take.....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Through my weakness, the power of Christ will rest upon me. </strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">Psalm 18:2</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.</span></strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><br /></strong><strong>When I am weak, He is strong!</strong><br /><strong><br /></strong><strong>xoxoxo</strong><br /><strong><br /></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong>&nbsp;<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey</span></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /></div></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><strong></strong><br /></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-67416281592018020882014-11-11T14:59:00.000-06:002014-11-12T10:17:02.810-06:00 Power In Prayer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSmPboeGV8M/VGJN7yIliDI/AAAAAAAACPI/3K7N6m2MZGg/s1600/praying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSmPboeGV8M/VGJN7yIliDI/AAAAAAAACPI/3K7N6m2MZGg/s400/praying.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>I once had a friend tell me to not pray for them and if I did not to tell them...</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Ok, well that isn't going to happen....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I will respect the request to not tell them...</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>But........Pahhhhhh-Leeeeaaasssseee!</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>This girl paaaaa-rrraaaaayyyyysssss !</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>I believe strongly&nbsp;in the power of prayer....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I have seen what it does in my life as well as those I love and care for. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I will admit there are times when my prayers are not answered in the time frame I would like them to be, but never the less my prayers do get answered.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Just as there are times I tell my children to wait , so does our daddy God.</strong></div><strong></strong><br /><div align="center"></div><strong><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">John 11:22</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">But even now I know that whatever you ask from God,</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">God will give you.</span></strong></div></strong><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>I have a few unanswered prayers in my life at the moment...</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>However I know within the depth of my soul they will be answered....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>In His time and in His way.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>However today I did get to see&nbsp; prayers answered for some of my loved ones....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>And that&nbsp;makes me one&nbsp;happy, happy, girl!!</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>To witness the move of God in the lives of others is amazing!</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>My( adopted) Uncle Jim had been searching and waiting for a job for several months...</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>He was told he was either over qualified or basically to old.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>We have stood in prayer that&nbsp; God would open the right doors for him.....</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>We believed that no matter how much lack in the natural, God was doing a super natural work behind the scenes.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>This morning he called to tell me he and his beautiful wife both have been blessed with a dream job with an income far more than either ever would have expected. </strong></div><strong></strong><br /><div align="center"></div><strong><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">Psalm 37:4</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart</span></strong></div></strong><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The truth is, the good Lord does and will give us the desire of our hearts and He does restore back to us those things which have been lost or stolen.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>For what the enemy means for evil, God turns to good.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp;Our job is to trust in HIS timing for our blessings to manifest.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>His ways are always better, bigger and brighter than ours.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Whatever has been removed or taken from us, He will return back 10 fold.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><strong></strong><br /><div align="center"><strong>Not only did He bless Uncle Jim with a job, but it was far better than anything he had applied for.&nbsp;</strong><strong>&nbsp;Our daddy God is good that way!!</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>I continue to pray for all my family and friends....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Even those who tell me not to.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I am a prayer warrior girl&nbsp;until the end.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Whether they see God working in their lives through prayer or not is between them and God....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>&nbsp;I know he is moving on their behalf and that keeps me standing in the gap for them.</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>No matter what you are asking for.....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>No matter how long you have been waiting....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I encourage you to continue to pray and seek God.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Trust in Him.......</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Do not give up ,your answer is coming....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>&nbsp;Just as Uncle Jim and Aunt Karyn's came to be,your blessing will manifest as well. </strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Power in Prayer</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>xoxox</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">﻿</div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-19709508387005797692014-11-06T08:44:00.000-06:002014-11-06T08:44:16.924-06:00I Came From Brokenness <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXaVma5gFTI/VFph6PRjdsI/AAAAAAAACOs/d5utidprN-k/s1600/walking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXaVma5gFTI/VFph6PRjdsI/AAAAAAAACOs/d5utidprN-k/s1600/walking.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>There was a time in my life when everything was turned upside down and inside out.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I had so much brokenness in my world, the pieces looked as though they would never again fit together.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>From broken relationships, to&nbsp;finances, from a job that was going no where and&nbsp;balancing&nbsp;a two parent&nbsp;home alone&nbsp;as my divorce was kicked into high gear, I was floundering and floundering hard.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Emotionally I was a&nbsp;disaster&nbsp;in the worst way....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Physically my weight was melting off of me like butter.....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;I couldn't seem to get it together in any area of my life.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;I had two beautiful little girls who needed me to be the solid foundation of their world....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>A foundation with no cracks.....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp; And here I was, the one whose plastic smile reassured them all was well.....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The one who went through her days head held high but yet cried herself to sleep in the quite of her bedroom.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I had those in my life tell me to just get over it all....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Nothing or no one is worth that much stress and heart ache.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Others walked me through it with love and grace allowing me the time to get myself together.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I wasn't a complete&nbsp;basket case....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Nor was I crazed and spiteful........</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;I was a broken woman.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Psalm 40: 1-3</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">I waited patiently for the Lord: And He inclined to me,&nbsp;</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">And He heard my cry.&nbsp;</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">He also brought me up and out of a horrible pit. Out of the miry clay.&nbsp;</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">And He set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.&nbsp;</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">He has put a new song in my mouth-</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Praise</b></span><b>&nbsp;to our God.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Many will see it and fear,</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">And will trust in the Lord.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Through</b></span><b>&nbsp;my brokenness I gained healing.....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Through the ashes I found beauty.....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I&nbsp;experienced&nbsp;grace....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;I&nbsp;received&nbsp;mercy.....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>And unconditional love like never before.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>There I saw God in all His glory restore me to the woman He created me to be.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I was no longer the woman the world claimed I was.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I was now standing on the rock that could not be shaken....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My foundation of life in which no cracks could be seen.......</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My daddy God.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Psalm 46:1</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>There is no shame when we go through a period of brokenness in life.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>It is a growing season.....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>(We learn to reach for God)</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>A season of strength gaining.....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>(We can stand for others without judgment)</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>A season where courage is built.....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>(There is no more fear )</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>And a&nbsp;renewal&nbsp;within which is born.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>(We can love and embrace those who are broken)</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Out of it all emerged a woman who holds more love in her heart....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Can see victory no matter the battle....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Holds on to hope......</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Believes in the&nbsp;impossible.....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>And became a stronger version of me.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>For it is Christ in me that I can do all things.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I came from brokenness...........</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>xoxox</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-69957860958933021522014-11-04T11:18:00.000-06:002014-11-04T11:24:45.202-06:00Messy Me <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mz7lCDQC968/VFflXhksFSI/AAAAAAAACOc/2mkB_iKLeGE/s1600/messy_closet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mz7lCDQC968/VFflXhksFSI/AAAAAAAACOc/2mkB_iKLeGE/s1600/messy_closet.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>As a teenager when my mom would tell me my room had to be cleaned before my weekend activities began, sadly my closet would look like this.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I would shove and hide everything in there in the hopes she wouldn't open the door and see my mess.My goal was to get out of the house as fast as I could.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>That never worked out too well for me.....</b><br /><b>And because I choose to hide my mess instead of cleaning it right the first time, I would have to start all over again missing out on whatever my weekend&nbsp;festivities I had planned.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Lesson learned the hard way......time and time again growing up.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>As an adult the same lesson has been applied many times in my spiritual life.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>Several times my daddy God came with instructions for me to clean up my emotional mess only for me to hide and shove them deep within the closet of my heart.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>He was there to help me ,but sadly I choose to ignore him and close my eyes to my mess.</b><br /><b>My closet (heart) was so full of messy emotions I had no room for any good in there.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>( rejection, brokenness, anger, unforgiveness, pain, denial and fear)</b><br /><b>I did not want to re live the situations that caused those emotions, instead I pushed them so far down if one was to open my closet door (heart), an&nbsp;avalanche&nbsp;would explode.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Thankfully our daddy God looks deep within our hearts.</b><br /><b>He doesn't look to our outside appearance..........</b><br /><b>He sees what is behind the plastic smiles.............</b><br /><b>&nbsp;And He never gives up on us.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #45818e;">1 Samuel 16:7</span></b><br /><b><i><span style="color: #45818e;">But the Lord&nbsp;said&nbsp;to Samuel, " Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected&nbsp;him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."</span></i></b><br /><br /><br /><b>It took me having to go back to my closet time and time again to finally start the cleaning process.</b><br /><b>I got tired of standing in front of it, wishing it would all just disappear.....</b><br /><b>I got to the point I had to surrender my mess of emotions to him and allow him to show me where to begin.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>I remember a time telling him I can't do this, I just don't have it in me...........</b><br /><b>Can we please just shut and bolt the door?</b><br /><b>And just as my mom so many years ago told me no on shoving my closet full....</b><br /><b>So did my daddy God.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>He knew I could not move forward in life and&nbsp;receive the good by hiding my mess.</b><br /><b>I told him I could not do it, I was not strong enough to tackle such a great task.</b><br /><b>His response..............</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: #45818e;">2 Corinthians 12:8-9</span></b><br /><b><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me.&nbsp;</span></i></b><br /><br /><b><br /></b><b>It has been through HIS grace and his grace alone I've been able to clean my closet (heart) out.</b><br /><b>I still have days when I'd much rather shut the door and forget what's in there, but in doing so I would be creating a new mess.....</b><br /><b>A mess that I would have to eventually go back and clean.</b><br /><b>It has been through my cleaning process I have learned how to let go of emotions that will hinder my future.....</b><br /><b>I have learned it's normal and perfectly&nbsp;OK&nbsp;to feel these emotions in life, but it's not&nbsp;OK&nbsp;to pack and&nbsp;shove them so far into my heart that I have no space left for the good things.&nbsp;</b><br /><b>( Love, forgiveness, grace,&nbsp;mercy&nbsp;and hope)</b><br /><br /><b>We all get emotionally messy from time to time in life but it's how we choose to deal with our mess that determines what our closets (heart) look like.&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><b>We can shove, hide and push the door closed until there is no room left.....</b><br /><b>Or we can allow our daddy God to take each emotion and teach us how to clean our closets.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>My closet is looking pretty good these days, it still has work to be done after all I am still a work in progress and I know that the work He has started in me, He will complete.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Messy Me~</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>xoxoxo</b><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Philippians 1:6</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #45818e;">being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-45347993846576243202014-10-29T10:14:00.001-05:002014-10-29T10:14:58.747-05:00Victory In The Climb<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sDxGJT5borM/VFEDeIENR4I/AAAAAAAACOM/8Bdhc40ZJqs/s1600/stock-footage-male-walking-up-hill-and-relaxing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sDxGJT5borM/VFEDeIENR4I/AAAAAAAACOM/8Bdhc40ZJqs/s1600/stock-footage-male-walking-up-hill-and-relaxing.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I love to read. I adore words written on pages of faded yellow, bold and in italics.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Words that come alive in an instant and fill me with hope and&nbsp;excitement.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Reading allows me to escape the weariness of today and shines the victories of tomorrow.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>As I settled in for the night, piled in my bed with my favorite pillow, I open the current book I am reading. I am in awe of the healing this woman experiences by God's wonderful grace in her life. As the words of her story&nbsp;penetrates the core of my heart, I began to think about my struggles in life and see how minor they compare to her fight for her life.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;I silently ask God to forgive me for any doubts I've allowed to creep into my circumstances. I am feeling shallow as I read on and&nbsp;experience her testimony through her words of praise. For my current struggles are no where near what she was going through.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I know my struggles are just as important to my daddy God as hers were but&nbsp;never&nbsp;the less, shallow is&nbsp;the feeling that comes to mind.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>As she laid dying she sang to the Lord. She sang songs of praise knowing in the depth of her soul she had more to do.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>She sang in spite of others telling her to save her strength, she sang knowing her purpose her on earth was not yet&nbsp;fulfilled.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>She sang until she "caught her healing"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And healed she was!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>( A healing need can be in the form of a physical one, emotional one or both)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I read that portion of the book over and over again until my eyes where to heavy to read any longer.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;I begin to ask myself, how many times in life have I had a hill to climb and focused on the circumstances of the hill and not the power and grace of my daddy God?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>How many times did I speak not the words of God but the words my circumstances produced?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I had spoke death over my situation and not life.....</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>God's word tells us there is life and death in the power of the tongue.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Proverbs 18:21</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Death and life are in the power of the tongue:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">&nbsp;and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I have learned over the years what I speak, I will live,&nbsp;</b><b>that being the fruit of my words.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Regardless of the words my circumstances are speaking, for me to speak God's words over them is where my victories are birthed.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Where my circumstances become a dance of life and not a walk of death.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My testimony shouts God's amazing grace and&nbsp;unconditional love,&nbsp;</b><b>I am strengthened and encouraged.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And hope once again&nbsp;reigns&nbsp;in my heart</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It's not the climb that hinders us in life, it's how we climb.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>How are you climbing your hills in life?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I want to encourage you to speak life to your&nbsp;circumstances.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>There is victory in every climb......</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>xoxo</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Stacey</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Proverbs 23:18</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">There is surely a future hope for you,</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">&nbsp;and your hope will not be cut off</span>.&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>*** The book I mention in this blog is &nbsp;written by Frieda White on the life of Vicki Jamison-Peterson. Sister Frieda is an amazing teacher of the gospel. Her love and passion for the Lord and his goodness explodes through her life and love for all of God's children. Sister Frieda tells Vicki's life story with the same passion and love she carries for all. If you would like to read &nbsp;more about the life of this mighty woman of God click on the link below and purchase a copy. You will be blessed&nbsp;abundantly.******</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vicki-Jamison-Peterson-One-Gods-Handmaidens/dp/144974205X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1414593104&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=vicki+jamison+peterson"><span style="color: blue;">Vicki Jamison-Peterson</span></a><span style="color: #134f5c;">&nbsp;</span></b><span style="color: #134f5c;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-64227561074487693292014-10-09T10:44:00.000-05:002014-10-09T10:58:38.617-05:00Blessed By Boots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rj6o6nWZouw/VDabQ7CVCKI/AAAAAAAACM4/cHlxPgqpm_o/s1600/IMG_20141009_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rj6o6nWZouw/VDabQ7CVCKI/AAAAAAAACM4/cHlxPgqpm_o/s1600/IMG_20141009_1.png" height="200" width="141" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>These boots are my all time favorite....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Not only do I love the look of them, I love how they feel on my feet. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>( I am a jeans and boot girl, no doubt)</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>The best part about my boots....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>They were a gift.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>A&nbsp;sweet gesture&nbsp;I didn't see coming...</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>A blessing that took me by surprise.......</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>An act of&nbsp;kindness that melted my heart. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I am a giver. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I love to give to others but yet always&nbsp;found it hard to receive in life. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I never saw myself worthy to receive....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I could not understand why others would want to&nbsp;give to&nbsp;me.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>The girl who had made so many bad choices in life....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>The woman who has stumbled time and time again.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Who was I to deserve their blessings in my life?</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I had walked through my life with the belief I never deserved anything good for all the bad that lingered over me from past choices and hurts. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>By living in that state of mind, I could give but never fully&nbsp;receive. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I missed out on many blessings over the years due to my own thought process....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>And the pride I had allowed to engulf me.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Sad but true.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>The reality of it all comes from who I am, who we all are in Christ.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>We are his children....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>We are worthy. because of him, to receive the gifts and blessings he has for us.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>He will put those in our lives to love us....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp;To carry us....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp; To hold us up.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp;Provide for us whether it be emotional or physically....... </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>To speak into our lives in our time of need....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>To become our shelter through a storm.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>( Or a pair of sweet boots)</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>It took me awhile to understand those who where pouring into my life where sent by my daddy God....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>They,themselves , were my blessings......</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>But it was up to me to accept and receive the blessings standing in front of me.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><strong></strong><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span class="passage-display-bcv"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Proverbs 11:25</span></span></strong></div><strong><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="passage-display-bcv"><span class="versetext" id="pr11-25" style="display: inline;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span class="versenum">25</span> The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="passage-display-bcv"><span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">those who help others are helped</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="passage-display-bcv"></span>&nbsp;</div></strong><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I still love to give more than receive....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>(It's the joy my heart feels to give to others.)</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp;I am learning to&nbsp;receive the blessings placed in my life....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>(No room for pride in this girls life any more. )</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>One step at a time........</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Blessed By Boots.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>xoxoxo</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Stacey<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><strong></strong><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></div><strong><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="passage-display-bcv"><span style="color: #134f5c;">2 Corinthians 9:8&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></div><span class="text 2Cor-9-8" id="en-NIV-28965"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><sup class="versenum">8&nbsp;</sup>And God is able<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28965A" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-28965A&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference A&quot;&gt;A&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup> to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28965B" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-28965B&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference B&quot;&gt;B&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup> you will abound in every good work.</span></span> </strong><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿</div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-29739029400557545912014-10-06T13:20:00.001-05:002014-10-06T13:20:36.445-05:00Hanging On With Hope<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OUc57lf4POc/VDLJg6rCC_I/AAAAAAAACMM/8yq9kZG6NGE/s1600/waiting1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OUc57lf4POc/VDLJg6rCC_I/AAAAAAAACMM/8yq9kZG6NGE/s1600/waiting1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Hope......</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I love hope...</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I believe in hope....... </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>No matter my circumstances.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>This past week I can see where&nbsp;I have held on to her (hope)&nbsp;a great deal more than I have in my past. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I am still waiting for answers in some areas of my life....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I am still looking for his promises to fully manifest ....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I continue to ask when and where....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>There are days I even ask why......</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp;However, I purpose to keep walking no matter the journey to get there....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I am hanging on with Hope.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I never envisioned the second half of my life to be as it is. &nbsp;</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>It's not horrible.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>It's not gut wrenching.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>It's by far not anything like my past.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>It's just very&nbsp;different than what I saw in my dreams.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>What I desired in my heart...</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>What I felt in my soul.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>It is nothing as I had planned to be&nbsp;after my children left the nest. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">Proverbs 16:9</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">A man's heart plans his way, </span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">But the Lord directs his steps.</span> </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>If I had been told 10 years ago I would be divorced, living back in my home town, single and a grandmother, I would have argued until the cows came home. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp;Literally.... For those were not my plans.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>But my plans were and are not the plans of my daddy God. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Through it all he has continued to direct my steps.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>And in doing so has taught me a new level of hope.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I am blessed to be closer to my family again after&nbsp;many years of living away from them. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Becoming a grandmother I can say hands down is the most amazing, heart bursting love I have ever had. </strong><strong>There is nothing like it. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Being single is not&nbsp;a death sentence,&nbsp;even though here lately I have been&nbsp;yearning to have someone share life's journey with. I know deep in my heart it will come in his time not mine.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp;He created us all to need the love and companionship of another.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>To love and be loved......</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>He promises to give us our hearts desire and in time that will be fulfilled.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">Lamentations 3:25</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">To the soul who seeks him.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>After having a day of just me, a river of questions attached to many tears, and my daddy God.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I have heard his voice deep within my soul.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>"It's almost here", "Hold on"</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>" You are closer than you think"</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>"You've come this far, continue to trust me"</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Peace floods my heart.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I wait........</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>For all His promises he has given me&nbsp;to manifest.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I trust.......</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp;In His timing for the right&nbsp;doors to be opened in my life. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I believe......</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>&nbsp;His word never returns void.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><strong><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="passage-display-bcv"><span style="color: #45818e;">Romans 8:24-25</span></span></div><span style="color: #45818e;"><span class="text Rom-8-24" id="en-NIV-28141"><sup class="versenum">24&nbsp;</sup>For in this hope we were saved.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28141A" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-28141A&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference A&quot;&gt;A&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup> But hope that is seen is no hope at all.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28141B" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-28141B&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference B&quot;&gt;B&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup> Who hopes for what they already have?</span> <span class="text Rom-8-25" id="en-NIV-28142"><sup class="versenum">25&nbsp;</sup>But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28142C" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-28142C&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference C&quot;&gt;C&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup></span></span></strong><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Hanging on with Hope.</strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>xoxoxo</strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Stacey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><strong><span style="color: #45818e;"></span></strong><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8LJMfqoiDw/VDLbnaUKHII/AAAAAAAACMk/Qv9jgkioxKA/s1600/imagesCAAS3Y4C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8LJMfqoiDw/VDLbnaUKHII/AAAAAAAACMk/Qv9jgkioxKA/s1600/imagesCAAS3Y4C.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: #45818e;"></span></strong><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">Jeremiah 29:11</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> <strong><span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647"><sup class="versenum">11&nbsp;</sup>For I know the plans<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19647A" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-19647A&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference A&quot;&gt;A&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup> I have for you,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “plans to prosper<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19647B" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-19647B&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference B&quot;&gt;B&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup> you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19647C" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-19647C&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference C&quot;&gt;C&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup></span> </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿</div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293789758082960207.post-77753594571846822762014-09-30T13:08:00.000-05:002014-09-30T13:08:24.801-05:00Refreshing,Refueling And Refilling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqdN9-s8dfs/VCrTXZjqYsI/AAAAAAAACLA/cjT0lEAs_pQ/s1600/10641008_10202672111549507_2210670434437430577_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqdN9-s8dfs/VCrTXZjqYsI/AAAAAAAACLA/cjT0lEAs_pQ/s1600/10641008_10202672111549507_2210670434437430577_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><strong>This past weekend I went back to my Texas home for a women's retreat with my home church there. I was blessed to be bunking in with these awesome women! </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I was able to spend time with old friends whose friendships are timeless and full of unconditional love from our daddy God.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>&nbsp;I was blessed to meet new friends who shine the light of Christ in the sweetest ways.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><strong>This was a weekend for many of us women to come together to have our spiritual tanks refueled and our&nbsp;hearts refreshed. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><strong>As women we wear many hats in our arena of life.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>We are wives, moms, grandmothers, sisters, and friends.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>We become nurses to our sick, chauffeur&nbsp;for our children, extra hands for our friends in their time of need, and support lines for our families.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><strong>We carry the hurts and pains of our loved ones deep in our heart.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>We will&nbsp;shoulder the weight of the world to make their load lighter.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>We will sacrifice our everything and go without all to make the world a better place for them all. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgQ1-kjQJIk/VCrvsnbKceI/AAAAAAAACL8/GM3rqTPASS0/s1600/2014-09-29%2B10.01.15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgQ1-kjQJIk/VCrvsnbKceI/AAAAAAAACL8/GM3rqTPASS0/s1600/2014-09-29%2B10.01.15.png" height="320" width="309" /></a></div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center">&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><strong>However there comes a time when we, ourselves need to be refilled, refreshed and refueled. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>A place and time when we as women need to lay it all down at the feet of Jesus.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Our homes, children, spouses, family and friends.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>To take a deep breath and exhale all we are juggling and give it all to him.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>To be reminded we are to seek him first in all that we do.&nbsp;</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><strong><div align="center"><span class="passage-display-bcv"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Matthew 11:29-30</span></span></div><em><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span class="text Matt-11-29" id="en-NIV-23489"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">29&nbsp;</sup>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23489A" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-23489A&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference A&quot;&gt;A&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup> for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23489B" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-23489B&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference B&quot;&gt;B&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup></span></span> <span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-NIV-23490"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">30&nbsp;</sup>For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23490C" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-23490C&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference C&quot;&gt;C&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup></span></span></span></em></strong><div align="center"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div align="center"><strong>I , myself, can get so wrapped up in the day to day juggling of life that I&nbsp;tend to carry it all without realizing what I am doing. The hustle and bustle of the world can and will consume us if we allow it. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>This retreat came in the perfect time for me as there were some things trying to consume me and I was allowing them to.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>It is times such as this past weekend that will remind me I am not to do it alone.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>It is a reminder of who I am&nbsp; in Christ.....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>And who holds me and my world in the palm of his hand. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>In all his grace and mercy He will put others in our lives to encourage and lift us up....</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Those who will teach us, guide us and remind us what kind of women we are&nbsp;are called to be.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rqtre6IDwg/VCrluMAKlJI/AAAAAAAACLg/0jIu7D1a9EI/s1600/10384123_10202670021657261_8262594912134120329_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rqtre6IDwg/VCrluMAKlJI/AAAAAAAACLg/0jIu7D1a9EI/s1600/10384123_10202670021657261_8262594912134120329_n.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">( Sister Frieda amazing woman of God and a&nbsp;loving&nbsp;mom to us all)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>There is no shame when we stop for a moment in our life to refuel....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Do not allow the enemy to&nbsp;tell you what a failure you are because you had to take a breath and refuel. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>It's wisdom and&nbsp;it's growth.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>It's faith and trust.........</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>It's regrouping in the arms of our daddy God. </strong><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNKEH_DqLbY/VCrsHsjT2hI/AAAAAAAACLw/zCuh5YLUkRQ/s1600/10407614_10203053003542063_5563459095536711964_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong></strong></a></div><span style="font-family: Times-Bold;"><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-DNKEH_DqLbY%2FVCrsHsjT2hI%2FAAAAAAAACLw%2FzCuh5YLUkRQ%2Fs1600%2F10407614_10203053003542063_5563459095536711964_n.jpg&amp;container=blogger&amp;gadget=a&amp;rewriteMime=image%2F*" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNKEH_DqLbY/VCrsHsjT2hI/AAAAAAAACLw/zCuh5YLUkRQ/s1600/10407614_10203053003542063_5563459095536711964_n.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>John 10:27-28</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong><em>My sheep listen to my voice, I know them , and they follow me.</em></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong><em>I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand</em></strong></span></div></span><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Should your world be running in all directions and you feel drained.....</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Stop and listen for His voice.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>His grace and mercies are new everyday!!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Let him refresh, refuel and refill you!!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Xoxoxo</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Stacey</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div><div align="center">﻿</div></div>Shakin' the Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16741528146882653992noreply@blogger.com0